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Wildcats end regular season 23-2
and ranked No. 4 in the state
and ranked No. 4 in the state
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From the May 10, 2006 issue
The Schley County High baseball team reeled off four impressive wins in a row recently to end the regular season with a record of 23-2. They are ranked No. 4 in the state and will host Lanier County for the first round of the state playoffs this Friday at 5 p.m.
SCHS 14, Brookstone 4
With the No. 2 spot in Region 2-A on the line, the Schley County Wildcats hosted the Brookstone Cougars on April 27 at Wildcat Park. Bud Fuller took the mound for the home-standing Cats and turned in another dominant performance. The junior right-hander pitched five innings, scattering four hits and striking out eight. Fuller gave up three unearned runs in his five innings of work. Jeremy Royal pitched the last inning (6th) for the Cats, giving up one run on two hits and a walk.
Offensively, the Cats bats came alive early. Two walks to start the game put the Cats in great position; however some lapses in base
Britt added a solo homer in the 3rd inning and Cody Taylor added an RBI single. Hammons ripped an RBI single in the 5th inning, plating Justin Bass and Will Brown. In the 6th inning, Rick Shremshock added a solo homer. The Cats then went on a roll as Britt, Will Brown, Bass, and Ryan Brown all had hits to drive in runs.
The Cats ended the game in six innings with a 14-4 score. This win meant that with one more victory against either Taylor County or Randolph County, the Cats would clinch home field advantage for the first round of the state playoffs.
SCHS 15, Albany 1
The No. 4 ranked Schley County Wildcats traveled to Paul Eames stadium in Albany to take on the Albany Indians May 1. Colby Britt took the mound for the Cats, making just his third start of the season. Britt has been hampered by a severely pulled muscle and the coaching staff is trying to work him back into the rotation prior to the start of the playoffs.
Britt’s job was a little easier after the top of the first inning as the Cats jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Taylor Hammons drew a walk to lead off the game and was followed by a single to right by Jeremy Royal. After a strikeout, Britt drove in the first run of the game with a liner to left plating Hammons. Will Brown reached on a fielder’s choice and was followed by an RBI single by Justin Bass, allowing Britt to score. Brown scored on a throwing error and courtesy runner Brad Eubanks scored on a passed ball.
Britt allowed a lead off walk to come home to roost in the bottom of the first. It would be the only run the Cats would allow on the day. Britt pitched two innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three. Sophomore lefty David Byrd pitched the final three innings, also allowing only one hit and striking out five.
The Cats added two more runs in the 2nd inning. Hammons beat out a bunt with one out and stole second. With two outs, Bud Fuller ripped a triple over the right fielder’s head to plate Hammons. Britt followed with a triple of his own to the gap in right center, allowing Fuller to score.
Schley broke the game wide open in the 3rd inning, pushing seven more runs across. A trio of Indian errors and a walk loaded the bases and allowed a run to score. Hammons, Royal, Fuller and Britt then each followed with RBI hits to increase the lead to 13-1.
After a scoreless 4th inning, Fuller singled to left to start the 5th inning. David Byrd followed with a long double off the wall in deep right center field to drive in Fuller. Will Brown then singled to drive in the last run of the game to make the final score 15-1.
Britt improved to 2-0 on the season. Both Britt and Byrd looked sharp on the mound. Offensively, Britt and Fuller led the team at the plate with three hits each. Hammons and Royal both had two hits.
SCHS 11, Taylor 2
Schley traveled to Butler the next day looking to lock up the No. 2 seed in the GHSA state playoffs. Junior lefty Jeremy Royal took the mound for the Cats and held the Vikings to three runs (one earned) over five innings. He allowed two hits and struck out one and walked one.
The Wildcat defense turned in a Jekyll and Hyde performance. The Cats turned two double plays in the game, but also made five errors. Consecutive errors to start the bottom of the 5th inning eventually allowed two runs to score. Will Brown relieved Royal with one out in the 5th inning and retired the last two batters in a great job of damage control.
The Cats dented the scoreboard for the first time in the 2nd inning. Will Brown was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a single by Justin Bass. An errant pick off attempt allowed Brown to score from second base. Josh Jordan, running for the catcher, took 3rd on the throwing error then scored on a passed ball for a 2-0 Wildcat lead.
The Cats increased their lead in the 3rd inning. Royal led off the inning with a walk. With one out, Colby Britt continued his dominance of the Vikings with a two-run shot to right center field. Cody Taylor doubled to left to start the 4th inning and was followed by a walk to Josh Tondee. After two outs were recorded it appeared the Vikings would get out of it without any damage; however the home team made two consecutive errors and allowed two runs to score. Instead of being out of the inning, the Vikings had to face Will Brown with two runners on and he made them pay. Brown ripped a long three-run homer onto the football field to cap the scoring in the 4th and give the Cats the 9-1 lead.
Ryan Brown and Cody Taylor singled in the top of the 7th inning and eventually scored to finish the scoring. Brown scored on a passed ball and Taylor scored on a sac fly off the bat of Royal.
Royal improved to 7-1 on the season. Cody Taylor led the way at the plate with three hits. Britt added two safeties in the contest.
SCHS 12, RC 0
The Wildcats hosted the Randolph Clay Red Devils on May 4 for Senior Day at Wildcat Park. Seniors Ryan Brown, Josh Jordan, Rick Shremshock and Josh Tondee were recognized for their years of service and commitment to Schley County Baseball. Coach Cheek commented that this is “the winningest group of seniors in the school’s history so far.” He added, “They will certainly be missed. We hope we’ve got them for several more games though.”
Bud Fuller took the mound for the Cats and pitched the first three innings of the game. Fuller allowed no runs on one hit and struck out seven. Colby Britt entered the game in the 4th inning and pitched two innings of relief. He allowed two hits and struck out three while not allowing a run.
The Wildcat offense struck early and often against the Devils in the last regular season game of the season. Schley jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first inning on four walks and two big hits. Will Brown drove in two runs on a double to the left field fence and Cody Taylor added a three-run triple to the gap in right center.
Schley scored three more in the second inning on two hits and two walks. Justin Bass drove in two runs with a single to right. The Cats added two runs in each of the next two innings to end the game with a final score of 12-0 in five innings.
Fuller improved to 9-1 on the season and the Wildcats ended the regular season with a 23-2 record. The Cats are ranked No. 4 in the state as of presstime. Leading hitters were Taylor and Britt (triples each), Fuller, Will Brown and Justin Bass.
Schley opens up the 2006 Class A State playoffs Friday at home against Lanier County. There will be a double header Friday beginning at 5 p.m. The “if” game will be Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
